and all of the significant others...

Hi there. If you're reading this, it's most likely because you were tagged on FB. And first off, I want to thank you for taking the time to see what this is all about. I am either one of your best friends or some strange name you keep seeing pop up on your news feed. Either way, I'm glad you're here. You should keep reading.

Before I came back up to Logan for school I found myself getting a bit sentimental. This last summer was one of the best in dear old Utah County. I will never forget it. As I look back, I am in awe at how many people impacted me in just one summer alone. Even those that I maybe didn't even spend a significant amount of time with, or maybe none at all. Isn't it funny how in an extreme roundabout way, we are all part of each other's lives? Affecting left and right? And so much of it is unknown. So. I want to make it known right now in the most public/non-public way I know how to do. I want to take a quick moment and thank those of you who helped to give me the best summer of my life.

And yes, it is personal to you.

Also, I plead with you to NOT read the whole thing. It's long. So just find your name and read the blurb. That's all.

Here goes.

Lauren Thayne. I know it's been a while since we have really chatted. And not to sound creepy, but seeing pictures of you with your new hubby have helped me to smile bigger. I really cannot even begin to express my happiness that you have found the love of your life and that you have been sealed in the temple this summer. You wrote me a note back in high school thanking me for helping you to feel more at home in Highland when you moved there. Now I want to thank you for helping me. For acting on a prompting when it really wasn't in your comfort zone and even when others didn't approve. You've always had the strength to do that kind of thing and it has ALWAYS amazed me. Because of your example, I have taken big leaps recently and seen how the power of faith and trust can work. Girl, you've always been there for me though you haven't known it most of the time. You've been there in the way you live your life. Thank you for being a part of mine. You are so amazing to me.

Amanda Blake Lewis. I want to thank you for calling me first to tell me that you were engaged. :) But on a more serious note, that phone call really changed me. You taught me a lot about the power of prayer by asking me to pray for you and that you would pray for me. Those prayers have been answered, Amanda. Your testimony is so amazing. Thank you for your time that day and for giving me so much advice. I love you a lot.

Kieran Parhar. For having the guts to come to our Winkel Family Reunion! I know we didn't talk much, but I'm glad that you were able to come and spend some time with our family and see what our culture is like. We're weird, huh? :) But I hope that you felt the happiness that was there. We were very glad to have you. I want to thank you for your example of independence. I'm sure it was kind of scary going with a family you hardly knew, but you did it anyway. You're a strong boy who is going to go places. I could just tell that from the few times I talked to you. Don't change, Kieran. Thanks for coming to visit this summer. :)

Chloe Mehr. You probably already know exactly what I'm going to say. I feel like we rediscovered our friendship this last summer. I had forgotten how special it was. I want to thank you for helping me to come to understand more fully how the Atonement works. Erasing the past and starting out fresh. That's what it all felt like. You are such a beautiful girl and I have idolized since I met you, even during our rough patches. Your hard work, determination, leadership, and success in life has always pushed me to be better. Thank you for being willing to come back to me. I needed it. Thanks for the tea party, the fire in your backyard, hot tubbing, snow cones, cupcakes and walks. Thanks for always inviting me.

Janene Paulson. I could thank you for your beautiful smile and be done. Because a lot of the time when I think of happiness, an image of your beautiful smile (complete with squinty eyes) pops into my mind. :) You've gone through some rough things recently. But you've taught me to keep smiling. To add to that, thank you for your sincerity. You have always treated me like an absolute gem. Like I'm worth more than anything. That is a gift you have. I know everyone feels that way when they are around you. Your Christlike example is so precious to me. Being around you this summer has helped me to re-evaluate myself for the better. I feel like I can treat people better because Janene Paulson does. Thank you, my dear.

Candace Elmont. You will always put the "fun" in "funyun" :) Really though. You spice up my life, girl. Thank you for the things you say. I feel like you always know just what to say in any scenario. You know when to be spiritual, when to be funny, or even when to not say anything. As I have observed you throughout the years, this has really stood out to me. You're the kind of person everyone wants to keep around. I have loved spending time with you this summer. Thank you for being such a good friend to me.

Andy Lopez. You know, 5 years ago I would have never envisioned our friendship turning out this way. My very first date on my 16th birthday is now one of my dearest friends. Andy, thank you for calling me. I know that must have taken a lot of courage for a fresh RM. Thank you for Orange Leaf. For mini golfing. For the rainy drive. And the key chain from Ecuador, too. It's my new favorite :) I will never forget what you told me when we were eating Frosties. "Shanelle Winkel, what has always stood out to me about you is that you are always happy. Never quit smiling. It'll always get you through." Thank you for all of your advice and your time that you gave me the last few weeks before I came back to school. I really feel like I can talk to you about anything. You were put back into my life after your mission for a reason. I really did need you, and do need you still. Lastly, thank you for valuing my advice too. And for keeping that letter I gave you two years ago. That means more to me than you know. You're amazing, Andy. Go live your life. I can't wait to see where you go.

Jamie Frischknecht. My dear former YW President, you are an incredible person.Years after you were released you are still checking up on me. You teach me the example of consistency and caring. I am also so grateful that you asked me to accompany your family in Sacrament Meeting. I realized as I was watching you and your husband and they way you talk to your kids that I want my future family to be just like yours. You are an amazing mother and your husband is an amazing father. I can tell that your kids are being raised an a very Christ-centered home. What more could you want? Remember that when you're wiping dirty faces and picking toys up off the floor. You are an incredible example to me. Thank you.

Cami Fox. You, my friend. are the best. Seriously. How is it that after months of not speaking to each other that I can always come back to you and find so much comfort? You have a gift of just loving people with a deep undying love, no matter who they are. You are never quick to judge. You are so wise. Thanks for what you taught me through your Africa trip as well. I have a better understanding of not taking anything for granted. Cami, you are so beautiful. And I am glad that you put forth a conscious effort to be my friend all the time. Keep up the phone calls, even if I'm awful at answering. I love you so much.

Alec Taylor. I didn't actually see you a whole lot this summer... but guess what? I really appreciate it that you call me to accompany you for your musical numbers. You are definitely my favorite person to accompany. Not a joke :) You are so talented. Also, I don't know if you remember our talk we had in my music room towards the beginning of the summer. But I do, and you said something that has changed me ever since: "My favorite quote is 'never let a problem to be solved become more important that a person to be loved.'" You're inspired, Alec. Thanks for being so easy to talk to. Thanks for playing music with me. You're going to make a most valuable missionary. I'm excited for you. :)

Sierra Summers. For that one phone call in July that I was able to vent to you for a good two hours :) I just want to thank you for being such a good friend to me. You really know how to make me feel good about myself, and we as piano majors need that, don't we? :) You are so selfless. I'm excited to spend the next few years of school with you. Also, you're really beautiful. Just all around. You're the greatest, shortie. :)

Ragen Bradshaw. For being my Snapchat buddy over the summer :). You got me excited to come back to Logan, and now that I'm here with you, I feel like we're even better friends than we were when we were roommates last year. I can always count on you to have my back. You know how to give a dang good compliment. And you're really good at taking the clouds away from my mind. You are such an amazing girl, Ragen, and I'm excited to see what this school year has in store for you.

Megan and Tyler Wilson. So you guys weren't really a part of my summer unfortunately, but I do want to thank you for inviting me over the other night. You are probably the one couple I can spend time with and not feel awkward :) you guys are so friendly and thoughtful. The milkshake wasn't too bad either :) Thank you for your constant friendship to me. You are exactly what I want me and my future husband to be. I can just tell you are best friends. What you have is so incredible. I know you realize that, but it's important to realize that others see it too. You shine. Also, Tell Guster I say hi :)

Nikki Barney. I want to thank you for the talk we had at the reunion. I love looking back at our silly past and seeing how much we have both grown together. Life is so busy, but you always seem to find your way. Thank you for your words of wisdom that night. I miss you all the time. Love you. :)

Altheda Geurts. Alfeeda. Where would I be without you? Your spunky personality gets me all the time. Thank you for being blunt with me in all the advice you give. Thank you for your weirdness ;) I really do love it, even though I pretend like I'm embarrassed to be with you in public. :) Thank you for letting me sleep on your couch and eating ice cream and Costa. Most of all, thank you for ability to understand. I really feel like our brains are on the same frequency sometimes. You always seem to get me. You are wonderful. Now come visit me in Logan.

Kristen Soelberg. I think my favorite part about this last summer was playing in Libby's yard and laughing so hard that we fell to the ground. You are one of the most cheerful girls I know. There have been several times that I know for a fact you had every right to complain about, but you just smile and keep going. That has taught me a lot. Thanks for always making me feel good about myself. Both you and Alfeeda are my confidence boosters. No joke. You are an amazing and beautiful girl. Thank you for your constant friendship.

Libby Thomas. I know we haven't hung out all that much, but the times that we did, I want to thank you for being there. So, this might be weird, but I feel like every time I'm around you, I feel like I'm around someone powerful... spiritually, musically, mentally, etc. I don't know what it is, but you stand out to me above the crowd. The few times I got to be with you this summer, you have taught me this: to never forget who you are, even through the worst of times. I know you've been through some rough patches recently, but I look at you and you are just a rock. That inspires me, Libby. Thank you for that.

Austi Stenson. I know, I like never came to the ward this summer... but I need to tell you that you are probably the best Relief Society President the world has ever seen. How is it that I can come to the ward like 2 times over the summer and still feel like you care about me more than anyone else? There is a reason you are President, and that is your capacity to see, hear, care and love those around you. Not just the ladies, but everyone. I loved seeing your posts on Facebook because most often you were always reaching out. You are just incredibly selfless; the perfect kind of leader for all of us. Thank you for your service. Know that one girl is trying to be like you.

Suzie Fluckiger. Oh dear me where do I start. First off, I would be a pile of absolute misery if you weren't there to cry with me, lift me up, and push me to keep going. I seriously think you were supposed to be my older sister but the organizing of families just got messed up somewhere. You seriously are just always... there. Always. I can always text or call you without a second thought to talk to you about anything. You get everything I'm going through. You laugh at me, which I need because I'm dumb sometimes. You help me to be stylin. You take pictures of me in front of a weird barn thing at a reception. You go canoeing with me. You let me sleep on the floor in your apartment. You do everything. Suze, I love you so much. I'm so happy that we're cousins cause that way I'll never lose you. Through it all, you've got me. Promise.

My dear family: Mom, Dad, Jared, Emily, Whitney, Jenny, Kayla. (Jenny, show this to Mom and Dad for me please, as they are technologically inept at times :) ) All of you need to know that my love for you runs deeper than my love for anyone else. I already miss you so much. Mom, thank you for caring so much. You always want to know what's going on in my life. If there is one reason I miss home so much, it's you. Dad, thank you for doing so much for me. For fixing my car, for planting the garden, for helping me with my finances, and for the talk we had before you gave me a Father's Blessing. Thank you for that as well. I plan to listen to it often. You still are my hero. Jared, I love you. You are such a ray of sunshine in my life. Thank you for your courage in getting married. I know times are rough, but your faith is literally carrying you and your beautiful wife. It's affecting me too, as it did when you were on your mission. Keep being your goofy self. Emily, you are an angel sent to us. He needs you as much as you need him. Thank you for being so thoughtful to my family. I am so happy that to have you as my newest sister J Whitney, I have really enjoyed spending so much quality time with you this summer. You are such a great example to me of purity, kindness, and not being judgmental. If anything, you’ve been the older sister to me. I feel like a lot of the time you are a lot more mature than me J But I am grateful for that. Keep being the sweet girl that you are. Jenny, you’re the weirdest person I know, but I don’t have more fun with anyone else. Your example of hard work and caring goes a long way. It has affected this college student right here and helped her to work harder. Thanks for putting up with me. Kayla, my sweet baby sister, I love you so much. Thank you for playing with me and going to Wendy’s and Pizza Pie Café this summer. Wanna know what you taught me? How to stand up for your beliefs even when it’s hard. There were several times when we would be talking around the table as a family and we would start gossiping… you would immediately say “Hey guys, that’s not nice.” How incredible of a 10-year-old girl to do. I can’t even do that, but I’m learning because of you. Thank you. Family, thank you for such a great summer. We spent so much time together and those are the times that mean the most. You are my best friends. I love you, I love you, I love you.